A Colonial Cure-All: 1752 Apothecary & Venice Treacle Demonstration

Overview

Explore the fascinating world of 18th- and 19th-century medicine on a guided tour of Bethlehem’s 1752 Apothecary and the Moravian Museum. You’ll visit what was once the nation’s oldest pharmacy to explore this hidden gem tucked away in the heart of the Moravian Church Settlements–Bethlehem World Heritage Site. Before closing in the early 1950s, the Apothecary was the oldest continuously operating drugstore in the country.

At the end of the tour, you’ll visit the Apothecary Garden (weather permitting) to learn all about one of the most famous medicines of the early modern world. Led by herbalist and gardener Hannah Lasorsa, you’ll discover what Venice Treacle was, why it was so highly prized and the surprising and complex ingredients – sometimes even viper flesh – that went into it. Participants will explore its history, hear how it was used, get a taste of how complex and sweet historic medicine could be, and make their own Venetian Treacle.